Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The Old Farmhouse - Childhood Memories

Last week we hooked up the caravan and went away for a few days.

We went back again to our hometown to catch up with friends and hopefully do some fishing. The weather didn't allow for the latter, but that's okay, there will be another time. We bought some fish from the local fish factory, and boy do they taste good!

On one of the days we went to visit our old farm.

This is the place I grew up on.

This is the place that holds the best memories.

This is the place where my heart will always be.

Here we go.

Walking through the healthy crops to get to the farmhouse

The old house block was surrounded by crops. There was no way to drive in, so we walked.

Our farm was 7,500 acres and is now owned by someone else. They are good friends of ours, so we were allowed to go and take a look.

The crops are looking great!

Nearly there...

A quick photo at the front gate.

The old house is in a sad state.

This was my room...

Another angle of the house

The old horse stables.

We rode horses as youngsters.

My horse's name was Cherokee.

It has been many years since these stables were last used.

Here is the old lemon tree, surviving on very little and with some lemons on.

We brought some home.

I also brought back a couple of branches of a fig tree that grows nearby. I am hoping to strike some pieces.

My mum's milking shed.

Dad built this for her.

Every morning she would rise very early to go milk her beloved cow, Annie.

Next we headed over to where our chooks (chickens) were kept.

At four o'clock every day we went to feed the girls and collect the eggs.

Some old farm machinery that my dad left behind. This is called a Stripper.

And a Winnower...

One of the original underground tanks still standing and still holding water.

Heading back up toward the house.

It is nice and green this year.

There were three big trees at the front of the house, one gum tree and two Norfolk Pines. Now there are only two.

The old pile of wood is still there...

Another underground tank at the side of the house.An old kerosene fridge sits along the verandah near the outside dunny. Can you see it?

Time to head back...

One last look, and a very sad face...

I miss this place and would move back to where I was born and bred in a heartbeat.

Especially with views like this one taken on the night we arrived.

Here is our little van.

Just big enough for two.

We had lots of rain one afternoon and night. The caravan had a good wash and we got to listen to it fall on the roof.

We are back home again and I need to get out in my garden and start geting it ready for Spring planting. I planted some tomato seeds before we went away and they have all come up.

There was rain overnight, so I will take the opportunity to pull some of the weeds out while the ground is damp.

25 comments:

Ohhh wow. So many memories for you I would imagine. It is must be so sad to see your childhood home is such a state of disrepair. Unfortunately it is becoming more common throughout rural Australia, specially in the more remote areas.

You're a braver woman than I Tania, I would not have been able to do it. I once drove past our old place, saw how the new people kept it and haven't been back. Your house looks like it would have been wonderful in those times. Your van looks very comfortable, a nice way to travel.

I think I understand the feelings Tania. Wayne's family farm was sold last year, after being in the family for 154 years. I felt sad, he was devastated, it feels like a part of our children's heritage is missing. We went for a last visit and it was just horrible, we couldn't wait to leave and just remember it how it was.

We also love our little "mobile home for two" :) Keeps us warm and dry in the most beautiful spots, it's one of the best things we've ever bought.

Have fun in the garden and enjoy your spring planting, I'm having a ball outside at the moment :)

omg! i almost cried at the sad state of your beloved farm house! i think it's a shame that people let old houses go to the wayside like that, she would still be good for another 100yrs with a little TLC & yes, it is becoming a common site, as families no longer hand the farm down. shame. sad. still a lovely postthanx for sharing

I said about doing the house up many years ago, and I was only a kid then. But my parents decided to buy a small transportable to live in rather than spend the money on the old girl. This was the cheapest option as my parents didn't have much money. The transportable has been moved on by the new owners.

Oh absolutely. I pass our old property on the way home to visit Mum in NSW. I look at several of the houses still standing but the ole homestead we lived in was burnt to the ground. Still it is surrounded by the peppercorn trees, the dam in the rear and the framework for the chicken run is still there. I love your old home. Lots of Aussie character.

That was a lovely look through your old home and property, bit sad at how its gone to ruin now though.

I lived on a farm until I was 5 years old then Dad sold it and we moved into town into a nice brick n tile home. Dad still farmed sheep and cattle but he just leased land all around Millicent. Our old farmhouse was a big stone place, but I don't remember much of it. I remember shearers coming each season and they were friends of Dad's so we knew all their names and they ate dinner with us some nights. Mr Jim Gill and Mr John Lee were their names.I remember going for drives with my big sisters (who used to get up to mischief on the back roads) in the 4WD and I used to help Dad feed out hay. He'd put the Nissan in low gear and tell me to 'head for that tree' and he;d hop up on the back and chuck out hay. Not a bad job for a 5 year old girl!Ah, the memories!

That is a really big farm. I only own a few acres and couldn't imagine having to keep track of all that land. It seems like you had a good time revisiting your childhood home. I hope the memories were only happy ones. Sometimes it is good to go back to the past and see how far you have come. Thank you for posting these great pictures.